US Customs and Border Protection

[stealthses]

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[JudgeDredd]

Stealth:
I'm currently going through the process as well. Call personnels' quality recruitment in DC. They can tell you if you are being considered for a nation-wide appointment, or only for the Canadian border. You can also put in your pref. for which port (three choices) you want. That's no gaurantee, but the only port you can put in for in the NY area is NYC. I currently work for the FPS contractor in my area and have talked to them inre a position with them. This is what Iv'e been told; if you are a fed employee, you are eligable for ICTAP, which gives you priority over a non fed employee when transfering to another agency. I was told they were hiring 800 this year alone (nationwide). Training used to be 9 weeks, but is supposed to be 12 now since they are combining customs/immigration/agriculture inspectors into one occupation. As far as your sexuality goes; who cares? Don't make it an issue. Personnaly, I don't want to hear about anyone's proclivities; gay or straight. As long as you do your job, no one will/should care. Hope this helps.

[stealthses]

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[stealthses]

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[g32499]

Stealthses,

THe authority of a CBP (Customs inspector or II) is at the port of entry. However they have a tremendous amount of authority while performing their duties. They are granted peace officer authority in NY State , but that is not where they derive their authority. CBP Officers are authorized to carry firearms off duty anywhere in the US. "Peace officer status"would enable a federal officer to enforce state law. THis authority can be limited to while on official duty or it can be full peace officer priveledges which would enable a CBP Officer to make arrests for state offenses while off duty. Being granted peace officer status while being employed as a federal LEO is more of a courtesy than anything else. It may offer a few more protections and options that the federal officer can use, but has nothing to do with their job itself. For example, CBP officers have the most broad ranging search authority at the POE. They can stop you and search you without any PC. If the person crossing the border smelled like alcohol and was obviously intoxicated, a CBP officer would be in the scope of their authority as a peace officer to act on their suspicions. However, I doubt the CBP Supervisor encourages their officers to drift from their federal authority while on duty.
Since we are on the topic of CBP officer authority I would like to bring up another point. While I was employed as a BP Agent I stopped a vehicle about 15 miles from the border. When I approached the vehicle the driver said"you can't stop me, I am more than 1 mile from the border". THese folk rumours about authority exist on the Northern and southern borders. People have heard that CBP officers only have authority at the POE and they think it applies to all Immigration and Customs Officers. JUst to set the record straight, ICE Special Agents, Deportation Officers, Immigration Enforcement Agents and Border Patrol Agents have authority anywhere in the United States or its outlying territories. Border Patrol also has the "authority to patrol the border " which grants them additional search powers within 25 miles of the border. THat 25 miles is not from the Port of Entry, but 25 miles from the border anywhere in the US.

[JudgeDredd]

g: don't 'ya just love it when people "know more about your authority" than you do? When I was an employee of the SLDPS, that usually guaranteed an upgrade from a summons to appear to booking! "You can't" is never a phrase you want to use...lol

[tunlrat]

Also, depends what state you're in too. Out here in California, as far as I know Customs Officers do not have "peace officer" status. Of course, they still have nation wide 24 hour carry policy; which might be just as good if not better.

[stealthses]

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[tunlrat]

24 hour carry means one is authorized to carry their issued sidearm 24 hours a day, on & off duty (if you're off duty, obviously it would have to be concealed so as not to scare the general public). I believe you would have to be at least 21 to be employed in an armed law enforcement position--local or federal.

[stealthses]

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[g32499]

Stealtheses,

If the agency you are employed by grants off duty carry, then state restrictions do not apply. I know fed LEOs that have been hired at 20 and they have the same authority as any other officer. If state restrictions applied to feds, then feds who don't have a valid permit for many states would not be allowed to carry. The state restrictions on age applies to civilians not LEOs. The authority granted to fed LEOs is granted by the federal government and cannot be restricted by state or local laws. This would apply to carrying of firearms off duty as well as arrest authority. Many federal agencies do limit what type of firearms you can carry with your creds and some limit the authority to carry to on duty only. ICE and CBP officers and agents are authorized 24/7 anywhere in the US.

[stealthses]

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[NJm1a]

Thanks for the info Guys. Its has been really helpful. The Uniform one is still buggin me though. I mean, isn't it frowned up on by the agencies to wear your uniform when not working? I don't mean like u put it on to go and wash the car, i'm talking about like stopping places (such as eating, visiting someone, etc.) on your way to/from work? I mean i can understand putting it on and going straight to work, but it seems that they tend to do other things along the way, and I was just wondering if that is allowed or if it is allowed, but not looked upon kindly.

Also, on a funnier note, I was teasing my Uncle about needed a new 2004 NYSP PBA sticker, and he said he will give me one, but if I become a USCBP officer, I won't be needing them anymore. When I asked why, he said he wouldn't give a US Customs officer a ticket, unless they did something awful. when I gave him a funny look he replied, "I like my job, we don't mess with the feds." I thought that was kinda funny, but now I'm wondering if its true, and when I ask, he says, "u'll find out someday." Anyone know if that was supposed to be a serious comment? or just him messing w/ my mind, which he does often. lol

Thanks a million,
Justin

hahaha.. My father is an AFD in Philadelphia CBP... my dad doesn't believe in using his badge to get out of offenses, but he simply had his business card in his wallet, and when he was getting his driver license out... the officer noticed? (it has a a big USCS badge on the left side) the officer said "is that a Badge there? dad said yes, it's my business card, im a US Customs Assistand Field director in philadelphia... got out of the ticket... called professional courtsey.

[tunlrat]

Yep, it's an "unwritten rule" for law enforcement to not cite each other (unless one truly deserves it--contempt of cop). You ALWAYS want to be on friendly terms with your brothers & sisters in law enforcement--local or Fed. Who knows? When the crap hits the fan, they be the only back up you have.